I am delighted to welcome my good friend Danya Jordan from Proverbs 31 to the #BeBoldGirl series today. I met Danya three years ago at the She Speaks conference and I admire her boldness for Jesus.
My heart was beating out of my chest. My hands and knees were visibly shaking. I held my breath as I looked out among the congregation.
It was the first time I had given my testimony. The first time I was truly vulnerable publicly about my past, my failures, my fragility, my salvation, my love for Jesus, and my desperate dependence upon Him.
Obedience in our faith requires boldness and courage.
The Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12 was drilled into my head and heart from a young age. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It still holds true today.
Like the Golden Rule, I am finding another rule that applies to our faith and telling others about Jesus.
When God calls us, He wants us to be bold in our faith.
“On the day I called, You answered me; And You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life.” Psalm 138:3 AMP.
Also, check out this version of the version :
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.” –Psalm 138:3. NIV
I love that word “embolden.” Webster defines it as “To instill boldness or courage.”
May this Psalm 138:3 verse serve as our “Em-Bolden Rule.”
When God calls us, our knees will shake, our heart will pound. Friend, let’s do it scared.
Peter and John are two wonderful examples of living out the Em-Bolden Rule.
Their story after Pentecost truly inspires me.
After Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit filled the believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), starting the modern-day church as we know it.
The disciples became bold evangelists, even baptizing about three thousand people in one day after hearing Peter’s message (Acts 2: 41).
The rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem and asked Peter and John what authority did they have to be healing people and preaching like they were. (Acts 4:5-7). Peter and John courageously said that their authority came in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Salvation is found no one else.
The rulers wanted Peter and John stopped.
“But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” –Acts 4:17 (NIV)
They did not know what to do with Peter and John because the people were praising God for the healing miracles they had witnessed, so they released them.
This notable part resonates loudly in my heart. After Peter and John were released, they raised their voices together and prayed to God…
“’…Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and the spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind…” –Acts 4: 27-32.
Amen! In our world today, we as Christians will be more and more persecuted for our faith in Jesus Christ. Like Peter and John, it will take much boldness from the Holy Spirit for us to stand courageously and speak the Truth of Jesus Christ.
Peter and John lived out the Em-Bolden Rule: Do it scared in your obedience to God’s call.
May it be so of us, my emboldened friend.
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Linking up with Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart and Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday